Indicator



March 13, 1928. 1,662,463

N. c. MCCONAHY Y INDICATOR Filed Oct. 19. 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 awn doc:

March 13, 1928.

1,662,463 N. C. M CONAHY INDICATOR Filed Oct. 19, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 7 Qwuwntoo:

Patented Mar. 13, 1928.

" UNITED STATES PATENT OFFlCfEQ.

INDICATOR.

My inventionconsists in a new and useful improvement in indicators, and is designed more particularly for use in connectlon with that class of liquid level indicatorsgenerally usedon automobiles to indicate the level of oil in the crank case of the-engine.

The particularly valuable feature of my invention is the co-operation.between'the operative parts actuated by the variation of the liquid level and the operative parts designed to indicate the liquid level. I have provided an actuating rod which impinges upon a wire which operates the pointer of the indicator. Thus I have obviated any mechanical connection between the parts actuated by the liquid level and the parts operating the pointer. This feature is of great utility in connection with the installation of my device, since it is possible by the use of my construction to properly proportion the operative parts and accurately adjust them at the factory, thus obviating any adjustment at the time of installation. The device consists of a floattank, with an operating rod. which is applied to the crank case and a housing for the indicator mechanism which is applied to the instrument board. Both of these parts after being adjusted at the fac tory are sealed, and it is only necessary to insert the end of the operating rod into its socket in the housing to install the device.

Another valuable feature of my device is its ability to indicate a superfluous supply as well as an inadequate supply of oil in the crank case.

Another important feature is the fact that my device is operated by the buoyant effect of the oil to indicate an increasing supply and by spring actionto indicate a decreasing supply, thus avoiding any dependence upon the gravital action of the float for actuation.

Another important feature of my device is the means which I provide for adjustably attaching the float tank to the crank case. This means permits both vertical and longitudinal adjustment of the tank, and may be attached to the crank case without the necessity of loosening any of the parts of the machine.

My invention is fully disclosed in the details of construction illustrated in the drawings and hereinafter fully described, but it is to be understood that I indicate herein Application filed October 19, 1925. ZSerial No. 63,453.

only one specific embodiment of my invention and refer for 1ts scope to the claim appended hereto.

In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a side elevationpartly in section of a portion-of an automobile showing my improved indicator installed.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the float tank.

Fig. 3 is a top ,plan view showing the installation of the float tank.

Fig. 4 is a side elevation enlarged of a portion of the engine crank case and a transverse section of the tank.

Fig. 5 is a front elevation of the indicator.

Fig. 6 is a vertical section on the line 66 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a vertical section on the line 7-7 of Fig. 6. v

The device illustrated in the drawings comprises the float tank T, theiindicator I and a flexible cable C connecting the floattank and the indicator. to the drain cock of the crank caseby a suitable pipe T and is suspended from one of the motor legs L by theangle plate T and plate T bolted to the hanger T which is adjustable on the tank T by the bolt T through the slot T in the hanger T Within the tank T, the float F on the lever arm F is pivoted to one end ofthe tank T at a point midway between the top and bottom of the tank T. A flexible non-ductile wire IV is fastened to the arm F and passes out of the tank T through the pipe P attached to the top of the'tank T, and through the hollow flexible cable C extending upwardly to the instrument board B of the automobile.

The indicator mechanism is enclosed in a housing H having a back plate H with a dished portion H Extending l'earwardly through this portion H is atubular casing H on the front end of which is mounted a dial H which, being slightly dished and flex- The tank T is connected H and surrounding it is the spiral wire l-l'". At; its rear end the tubular casing H is provided with a tube H adapted to receive therein a second tube H attached to the upper end of the flexible cable C, the tubes ll and H being removably connected b the screw collar 11'. Attached to the upper end of the wire it in the tube ll is the operating rod R which, when the parts are assembled. extends through tubes It" and Il into the casing l'l". lying parallel with the shaft It" and in the plane of the spiral wire Il The shaft H is also provided with a stop pin H which contacts with the inner end of the tube H. to hold the shaft H against the action of the spring H so that when the parts are in normal position the needle H will register zero on the dial H.

From the foregoing description of the parts of my device, its operation will be obvious. 'hen the device is installed, the

level of oil in the tank 'I will coincide with the oil level in the crank case. The buoyancy of the lloat F will cause it to respond to the oil pre."ure and through the arm F will more the wire \V. The reciprocation of the wire \V will oscillate the rod h which impinging against the wire il will arise it to rotate and thereby rotate the shaft 11. and cause the needle IV to travel over the dial H.

Haring described my invention, what I claim is:

In an indicator, the combination of. a housing provided with a circular opening on one side and a wall on its opposite side; a glass t'ace covering said opening: a tubular casing mounted in said wall of said housing; and a flexible dial mounted on said casing and adapted to clamp said glass face in position in the housing.

In testimony' \t'hcreol I atlix my signature.

NEWELL CHANDLER McCQNAllY.

v Patent No. 1; 662; 463.

. and. that the said Letters Patent should be read wit (Seal) CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Granted Marchi13,.. 1928, to

NEWELL CHANDLER McCONAHY.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 2, strike out lines 35 to 42, comprising the present claim and insert the following claim:

"In an indicator, the combination of a housing; a tubular cas ing protruding from said housing; a rotatable shaft mounted in said casing; a pointer mounted on said shaft and movable in said housing; a spiral wire mounted on said shaft; a pipe extending from said casing; a second pipe removably connected with said first pipe; and a rod slidably mounted in said pipes, extending into saidcasing and so positioned as to impinge against said wire when reciprocated.";

h this correction therein that i thegsame may conform to the record of the case in the'latentflfiice.

' Signed and sealed this 24th day of April, A. D. 1928.

M. J. Moore,

Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

